Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell became the longest serving GOP leader in the United States Senate on Tuesday, according to a number of news reports.
Mr. McConnell, who first came to Washington, D.C. ,in 1985, has served for nearly 11.5 years, making him the longest-serving GOP leader in the history of the U.S. Senate, surpassing former Sen. Bob Dole, Kansas Republican.
Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, praised his colleague, saying he’s been able to serve his constituents in Kentucky while leading the GOP conference.
“It is true that sometimes he’s soft-spoken, but I can assure you that he’s never afraid to take a hard line when absolutely necessary,” Mr. Cornyn said on the chamber floor.
According to a Morning Consult survey from April, Mr. McConnell is the least popular senator, with 52 percent disapproving of his performance.
The Kentucky Republican will be up for re-election in 2020.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.